Lionel Messi spoke about Argentina playing against England at the World Cup.
Messi and Argentina will play England in the semi finals of the World Cup on Wednesday. This will be the first time that the 39 year old plays a match against England. Speaking to the media after Argentina’s 3-1 win against Switzerland, here is what he had to say:
“Obviously everything that I have seen and remember is from video. We Argentines, we see and we relive. But I believe that this team is used to playing these matches, no matter the opponent.
“Playing against England is special because they’re good. Personally speaking, it’s the first time I will play against them.
“I have played against everyone except England. That will be nice too and I want to live it as it is. A semi final of a World Cup against a great national team. To try to get there in the best way possible to go back to competing.”
What!! When i heared commentary talks today that messi havent played against englans i thought is in worldcups..
Why AFA havent made even any frndlies against europians especially against england during his prime that could have settled many PL pundits that how eassy this could be for messi
@DFox1942
Didn’t I say yesterday morning that I’m putting on Alvarez jersey because he will score??? I did. Big hugs my friend. I will repeat this over and over and gloat as much as possible 😂
Congrats to everyone here, we made it to semi finals four years after winning cup. I believe we will get to play third place match at minimum, meaning we are in till the end. !!!!!!
Yes we suffered and yes we weren’t creative and yes simeone or paz could have played over Almada. I’m not for or against Almada, but he was the first player brave enough to attempt a long distance shot last night.
Romero was extraordinary. He gave everything on the field and looked exhausted which is why Ota came in.
Montiel is my only complaint, when Molina needs a sub it needs to be palacios or they need to figure out a different formation.
What no one is mentioning here is the press. We press high early, get tired, then we can’t even press them when they are meters from our box. This is our major issue on defense.
The other major issue on defense is we have problems game after game of opponents wing and back overlapping with no one to swing under and cover.
Anyways most won’t understand what I’m saying here, this is just basic futbol concepts.
Muchachoooos!
Yep spot on abt almada he give alverz that idea to shoot from kutside the box.. I kept asking all three last matches here why our players who all scores stunners from outsode the box messi, lsutaro, alverz, almada, de paul, molina affraid to shoot from distance in national teams pardees and romero trys it here and there i like it.. Today alverz and almada almost got it..
More shooting needed and croses at time when 4 of our strickers inside the box while we passing back..
Regarding pressing after the team tired it was depaul he used to run for all the press in 22wc or 21 copa now playing in MLS has effected his fitness and intensity.
Is there another player who could press 90mnts? Simione maybe?
By the way congratulations guyzz
For reaching our 4th consecutive big tournament semi finals
Today i wont discuss tactics and flaws
Maybe tomorrow
#VamosAlbicelesett 🇦🇷
Anyway regardless of playing style and suffering I want congratulate all of us here who faced so many heartbreaks coz of early exit from the tournament either it’s Copa or WC. This is our 5th consecutive Semi guys something to proud of. I still believe best yet to come and let it be against English
Me too, ARG is the underdog the for 1st time in this here WC,let’s see what happens because obviously thus far, anything is possible 🤷
Interestingly, it’s true! The odds are with the others, and hopefully that doesn’t load the prssure on our guys!
With all that’s said and done after today’s match, I feel like I’m finally drained of all the heartbreak. I think we played slighly better yesterday compared our otger knockout matches were we didnt entirely depended on Messi. Now England awaits. I don’t know how we’re going to navigate them. We may no longer be the favourites, so that’s an entirely different shift in mentality.
Looking at all the matches we’ve played against lesser opponents, we haven’t played to our full potential, which is what we all expected before the World Cup.
Again, changing one or two players isn’t going to drastically change our performance. The overall level, compared to 2022 when we were hungry to win a World Cup after 35 years, was far better than what we’ve shown in 2026. That said, this group is as close-knit as it has always been. The heart and bond between the players remain our biggest advantage. If we play to our true potential, we can beat them. Otherwise, it’s going to be tough.
I just hope we put our best foot forward against England. It’s a historic match, and England are, pound for pound, looking better than us in some departments. It’s going to be tough. I just hope we don’t get humiliated. This group is ageing, exhausted, and recovering from injuries. Some of them simply can’t play 120-minute matches anymore.
Whatever happens, this group has given us the happiness we’ve been waiting for for a long time, and for that, I’m truly grateful. Here’s hoping for the best.
We won’t humiliate my friend. Remember 2021 Copa America final everyone one here said we will be humiliated in Brazil against top notch Brasil team who had Neymar in their back yard. If we go through archive we will see those very people who said crap still here but we didn’t humiliate. I believe England has eye catching wingers but I believe they can be stopped we just need to play out game that’s all
Now that we have officially become the “underdogs”, hopefully we will play better, win the semifinal and play the final match instead of that monstrosity of football match called the third place decider. Typically, Argentina doesn’t lose semifinals and I think we will not break that tradition this time around as well.
I will never worry about the technical aspect of our next game because, it’s England and their players typically faints when they see somebody controlling the ball at the first attempt lol. However, since De Paul can’t do that, hopefully Scaloni will replace him with someone who can play a little.
About the Switzerland game: Macalister played well, Molina played well, Paredes played wonderfully, Julian played exceptionally and our centerbacks did great. On the other hand, De Paul played his 5th straight shit game after his first great 30 minutes in the Algeria game. Kudos for him for that 30 minutes but kindly fuck off. And Enzo needs to stop his Bellingham gimmick and start being a midfielder again. Brother needs to play football instead of trying to win statistics.
How you win against England: You play slow, thru the middle and letting them know you play football from the first minute. You own the ball, play rondos, show off your silky touches and techniques and score with street football. Play Football.
How you lose against England: If we play the gimmick of sitting back and trying to hit them on the counters thing, they will eat us alive. All those stat things like set pieces, transitions, second ball yada yada nonsense are all their speciality and if we try to play that game against England, they will beat us easy.
Let’s see how Sabella, ahem Scaloni sets us up on Wednesday.
I agree with you completely. We can’t play that way . We must control the game also have you noticed our transition play is nonexistent which is sad. Maybe bringing Lo Celso ain’t the bad thing
I’ve waited so long for an Argentina vs. England world cup match, and now my team is playing like this when it finally happened.
I’ve been reading English fans on Reddit, and many of them don’t even rate this Argentina side. Some even think they got an easier semifinal than Switzerland. It hurts to see how much respect Argentina has lost over the last three matches. Remember the same fans having conversation about meeting Argentina and talking about us with fear before capo verde game
I really hope Scaloni changes the core lineup and brings in some fresh, high intensity players. It’s becoming painful to watch De Paul and Enzo put in underwhelming performances and let the team down. Give Simeone and Lo Celso/ Barco a chance instead.
We need to play with more grit, intensity, and physicality. Where has the typical South American ruggedness gone? We showed it against Brazil and Uruguay in 2025, but now we’ve lost that edge at the worst possible time.
When the management does not give players a second opportunity after match winning performances, while continuing to give failing players chance after chance, players lose their incentive to play well.
Imagine how Lo Celso et al are feeling watching this series of dismal performances while being forced to sit on the sidelines. Must be hell on morale.
I can’t rest until first training. There is no way we can go same approach as last game NO WAY! I just feel like we should go back how we played in qualifying 4-3-3 with Almada coz England game will be more suited for this kinda game. We can hit them transition and he can defend against wingers. I know many critical about him but I think this game is much more suited to him and yes he made the miss which was a great save from gk but he actually made the run and he was direct when he came on and actually made some good plays. Like it or not but he is the closest thing we have in Fideo sadly and only that way we can play little bit better like Qatar. I didn’t know what we were doing last game ? There were tactics we can see which is wining second ball and bypassing their press with long ball which was working a bit when Messi and Macca were running for second ball for few instances but after that we were just sitting deep to defend maybe coz of the physical aspect of Swiss team. They were superior to us. We need to be better in handing ball against England as we can’t give them ball or they will hurt us for sure. I hope at-least there is one change to make some cover for England wing play. England is much better than Norway to be honest against us coz i honestly think we would have struggled against Norway more. Norway out played England and goal was disallowed. Probably for the first time we going as second favourites against England. All the pundits and analysts basically writing us off . I can take only positivity from this game is Lautaro and Alvarez scored and hopefully they gets some confidence back in right time.
Nah! Almada is no better than Pavon or Meza. I am done with Almada having more chemistry with the team BS . If Nico Paz had come on instead of Almada yesterday, with the entire Swiss team camped inside their own box, I am 100% sure the game would’ve been over long before we needed that Alvarez banger!!
At Como, Paz was directly involved in 7-8 goals, during a the start of serie a and was one of the biggest reasons they qualified for the Champions League. Yet Scaloni keeps leaving him on the bench while Almada gets chance after chance to do absolutely nothing.
For me, Almada should never wear an Argentina shirt again. Against England, I would drop both Enzo and De Paul, play Palacios on the right side of midfield, and put Nico Paz behind Messi and Julian. At least we’d have someone who can actually unlock a packed defence instead of passing sideways and constantly blasting the ball into the stands or wide!
Unbelievable
Scaloni’s biggest problem in this tournament has been his stubbornness. No matter how poorly we perform, he keeps starting De Paul, keeps throwing Almada on when Argentina need creativity, and doesn’t have the courage to drop Enzo or Depaul despite their poor form. Those two along with Molina have consistently underperformed, yet Scaloni refuses do anything! He has invested so much in Almada and Depaul that he wants prove everyone wrong no matter the cost!
Before the Swiss red card, Argentina spent long spells looking like the team parking the bus. We barely created anything, and from the start of the second half until Switzerland scored, we simply kept clearing the ball with nobody up front. All the while Scaloni waiting for Switzerland to push all their 10 players into our box so that he could score on counters! Which team in the first quarter of second half would push for a goal like they are in the dying mins of the game? Yet he was hoping for it!! The red card bailed Scaloni out because otherwise they would have put another ball between Dibu’s legs like they did with the first goal !
And then when Argentina desperately needed inspiration, on came Almada. The 9 Swiss outfield players and their keeper are in the box defending and this guy is constantly passing sideways to Nico.g or wasting his shots. Almada couldn’t hit the barn door to save his life!! And after ALVAREZ SAVED ARGENTINA FROM SCALONI, sorry… I meant Switzerland, finally Switzerland grants Scaloni his wish and pushes every foward and during the move for the third goal, Almada instead of passing it to Messi who was open missed another 1 on 1 before Lautaro finally finished the game, thankfully!
People keep saying Messi has been carrying Argentina this tournament. The reality is that for years Messi has been bailing out Scaloni. With Messi nearing the end of his career, Scaloni’s luck is about end! Scaloni game and man management has run his course like Pep guardiola in Barcelona!
He was passing the ball to Nico then he took a shot which was great but side netting. Passing to Nico few times was a deception so he can take shot next coz it was many players in box and if we lose ball then we get counter . Can’t you see that through? You are wrong without Messi we will play better. Yes Messi has his brilliance but in modern football you need all the players running and pressing together which Messi can’t now. We played better without Messi in every game. Our biggest flex was in Qatar how we pressed but this World Cup we can’t and why do you think it is !!! We had to adapt differently than last coz of Messi and heat and other circumstances. I feel like some times you guys here too critical without actually seeing through. If Messi saving Scaloni then how come we did not win 2010,2014,2018 World Cup & 2011,2015,2016 Copa America? It was prime Messi. Winning 4 trophies ain’t fluke My friend. There is a good thing about this coaching stuff that’s why they won so many trophies. Yes we played terrible last game coz our tactics didn’t work and I believe if Lautaro was playing along Alvarez it would have worked better. We would have won so many ball near Switzerland box.
I disagree. He wasn’t passing to Nico because it was some master deception. He was passing sideways because he simply doesn’t have the skills to beat his defender and drive deeper into the box. That’s why he kept staying on the outside instead of putting the ball inside the box himself.
Almada isn’t that player. His finishing has been poor all season long at Atletico, not just the world cup , and when the big moments came, thank to scaloni, he wasted them again yesterday. The side netting was another poor shot from him. On the third goal, when Messi was open, Almada showed another instance of his poor decision making along and finishing. Thankfully Lautaro cleaned it up.
For me, Almada simply isn’t at the level required for Argentina. We have way better option in Nico Paz, so I don’t see why Almada should be getting minutes ahead of him. You don’t get endless chances just because the coach has invested in the wrong player.
It was never his intention or mission to try beat 9 Swiss players then get caught on ball and screw us . If there was anyone that good in team beating players like that then we would not have been in this situation. Almada and Paz is different players that’s what you don’t see.
I’m not saying Almada will beat 10 players and do a Maradona and I know he is out of form thanks to Cholo but I feel like England game is perfect suited for him the way they play and we played in qualifying. In football we believe a good shot bring your confidence back or even a half turn. Paz ain’t winger or hybrid winger. He ain’t gonna work in that
Just when I tought Argentina could not play worse than England… They lay an egg
I’m ok with Almada not passing to Messi, which lead to Lautaro scoring. Messi is already on 8 goals, and if Argentina are to win the World Cup, we need both Laurato and Julian to have a taste of goals.
I don’t understand Scaloni’s obsession with Almada. If you dropped him from the starting 11 due to poor performances, why bring him in as a substitute?
We’re all agreed that De Paul should be dropped. He offered virtually nothing to the team, but dives and slow the game down. Any other midfielder on the bench would do a better job than De Paul. How can a player be so bad and still starting? If you have Paredes, you don’t need De Paul. Bring more creativity in the midfield. Lo Celso for example.
Lasty, Otamendi needs to start. That’s a tough one, as both Licha and Cuti are untouchable. The defense is very disorganized, chaotic, any through ball goes through, and no leadership this tournament. Licha can’t be dropped because of his on-the-ball ability and he can pass from deep. Molina is bad. Scaloni plays Paredes so Enzo could be moved further up, but Enzo has been awful. Argentina’s biggest problem is Molina, De Paul, and Enzo. I don’t see Scaloni making three changes, but something needs to be done.
I don’t think dropping De Paul in England game will be wise now since England wingers and Messi won’t defend and our RB ain’t good.
But De Paul is not doing exactly anything either! In fact, a liability with his misplacing passes and losing the ball constantly.
I agree but he is much better covering Messi space and helping RB. We will see what happens in few days time
Man, I was really trying to stay positive during this World Cup, but last night’s game? Seriously, it was the worst I’ve seen under Scaloni. We were just awful; I couldn’t believe my eyes. De Paul, Paredes, Enzo, and Macca were all just terrible.
We all felt the same way, it was very ugly but they won and that’s the only thing that matters.
This has been a very unusual WC but they’re in the semis with one game away from the final and anything could happen
Parades terrible for you? I agree with the rest 3 though
Yup, and maximum kudos and respect to the team for attaining where we are now. Somehow, regardless of what the reason(s) may be, retaining the title in modern days has just been extremely difficult and for us, in meeting the underdogs all the way, we’ve just had to dig very deep and scrape the bottom of the barrel every single match. Thought after 10mins and a goal up, we’re going to see this out. And then dynamics changed, we were defending, they scored and had momentum and we were trying hard to break down 10 men for large part of 2nd half but remained susceptible to the counter. scary stuff. I know our team has loads of gumption, peserverance and tenacity and I just hope we still have some left coz we definitely need it. He is not going to change the line-up the formation and play. If we accept it, our discussions can focus on how the current line will enable us to be the protangonists and control the match (just like how we did vs Croatia last time round, or vs France for the large majority of the match!)
I hope our team finds a way to contain/respond to England’s wingplay which is a big part of their attack (Gordon, Maduke, Saka) coz that’s where we’re very vulnerable. Parades and co will already be busy with Kane, Bellingham, Rice and we really need our wingbacks to please please please stand up and do their job.
I really thought we Will control the game like Croatia game a bit but I was shocked too coz we can’t keep the ball. They pressed better. We have seen it all in last three games tbh and we better be use all the struggles in last three game and play better against England
Disagree on Parades. He is one of the best player of our team for last two match. However, Enzo fernandez and Rodrigo de Paul totally out of form for whole tournament.
This two need to be dropped asap otherwise it will be difficult against England.
To make a long story short, ARG needs to play better plain and simple.
Messi was tired and heavily covered and can’t blame the guy no matter what you think, nobody expected him to play as well as he did including myself but he’s showing his age and fatigue but other players recognized that and stepped up to the occasion.
Debu played a little better, few saves gave him some confidence but not as nearly enough going into the next game, I would say this though, familiarity with the English way should help a little.
I somehow was a little glad it was England and not the ridiculously oversized Norwegian, they would be holding their breath on every corner, set piece and loose airball all game long.
1986 Semis Vs England, Maradona….could it be??
Once again, inside the Benz, no sun humidity or heat should help them old legs.
I expect grit, fight til the death and maybe a twist or two.
I hope Spain pass the ball to death and somehow pull the upset for the obvious reasons.
As far as drama that follows ARG, conspiracy theories, FIFA favoritism bullshit …..etc Frenchy’s Golden boy got a PK after clearly diving, Nobody said shit, The Ball hit the camera wire and dropped perfectly into the redcoats path to their first goal, that dimwit Sorloth had to shoot the ball instead of passing it to an open Haaland for a 2nd easy goal.
ONE LOUSY GAME AWAY FROM THE FINAL, we know it, they know it, the whole world knows and AND MESSI FROM ALL PEOPLE KNOW IT.